MotoGP kicks off in Qatar

March 18, 2011

Öhlins are ready for the MotoGP-season. Action kicks off this weekend and Öhlins are there.

After a long winter the MotoGP-season finally starts and it’s with high anticipations as this season looks set to be one of the most memorable in the sports history. With riders changing teams and with more title candidates than ever we look set to be in for a thrilling season.

Öhlins will once again be a visible presence in the MotoGP-paddock supplying all the teams yet again as they are all searching for performance for that final tenth of a second.

Action kicked off on Thursday in Qatar with first practice being led by Casey Stoner ahead of team mate Dani Pedrosa. Second and third practice will be run on Friday followed by qualifying on Saturday and race Sunday night under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Selected quotes from the first practice:Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team, P1:
“We started off where we left on Monday and used more or less the same set-up. The wind is a little stronger but the track condition feels pretty good. I did the whole session with the same rear hard tyre and I was happy with it from the beginning to the end. This is good for the race. Finally the season has started, everything has gone fantastic so far but we need to be realistic and keep focused.”

Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini, P4:
“I am really happy because it is always difficult during testing to know exactly where you are but that change when things get serious and we are able to make concrete analysis. I am satisfied because we struggled to get the hard tyre working during the tests but we found something tonight. In general I am feeling confident.”

Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team, P5:
“We are all pretty satisfied with this first free practice because we worked well throughout the entire session, progressively improving with each outing. We modified the set-up a little compared to the test, and we immediately found it to be better, to the point within just a few laps, I improved on my time from Monday. Although we still have to improve some things on the bike, now I don’t have to push so hard and it is turning better. We’re happy today.”

Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing, P7:
“Today we used a set up from last year here, I feel much more used to it so I am a lot more happy. I think if we improve the settings some more we can really step forward. With the new chassis I can make faster corner speed here so the 2011 chassis is working well. I think we will all be closer to the front on Sunday night.”

More news, results and quotes can be found on the MotoGP website www.motogp.com